Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

UFC 141: Brock Lesnar retires after being kicked to defeat by Alistair Overeem

Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from MMA after losing in the opening round to Alistair Overeem in Las Vegas at UFC 141. Overeem landed 8 of 9 attempted strikes to the body. It was enough to sink the Minnesotan. Period.

Lesnar, the sport's biggest draw on pay per view, dropped to his knees after taking a kick to the body, and had no hesitation in telling the sell-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena that "it was the last time" he would be seen in the Octagon.

Lesnar, a famed wrestler who joined the UFC after a career in WWE, briefly held the UFC heavyweight title, and finished with a career record of 5 wins, 3 losses.

Lesnar has battled diverticulitis over the last two years, and had a section of his colon removed due to the disease.

Dutchman Overeem, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion making his UFC debut, appeared to target Lesnar's body with his leg strikes, and knees, and will now challenge UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in 2012 in a mouth-watering match-up of two heavy-handed strikers.

Dana White, UFC president, said: "I'm not surprised Brock Lesnar retired. I didn't know [he would retire], but it didn't shock me. He never went for the takedown, and I don't understand why he didn't shoot."

Asked if he thought Lesnar's diverticulitis shortened his career, White replied: "What shortened it tonight was a kick to the body."

On Overeem, White added: "I was wrong. I thought Brock Lesnar was going to beat Alistair Overeem. He made quick work of Brock Lesnar. I'll give it to him – the fight with him and Junior dos Santos will be very interesting."

Overeem is likely to be marketed as a major new star by the UFC. It would not be a surprise to see Lesnar make a return to the WWE at some point in the future. "I'm excited to be fighting for the title. It is 100 times bigger than Strikeforce. I'm blown away – I love every second of it. I wanted to show the world I'm ready and I'm coming. There will be a different game plan for Junior dos Santos."

In the other headlining events of the night, lightweight Nate Diaz dominated a strangely subdued Donald Cerrone to move himself towards world title contention in 2012, while light-heavyweight Alex Gustafsson stopped Vlad Matyushenko in the opening round of their bout. Both were emphatic.

Cerrone admitted that Diaz had "taken him out of his gameplan", which was credit to Diaz, who turned the fight into a stand up boxing war in the main, which he dominated. Cerrone put in one of his poorest performances, though Diaz must take most of the plaudits for that.

Welterweight Johnny Hendricks delivered the shock of the night by knocking out Jon Fitch in 12 seconds with a left hand. "This victory puts him right up there," said White.

Hendricks explained: "The media said I had no match, but I told them that from the start I said I had a puncher's chance. I have a good left hand, and I wanted to hit him as hard as I could, and see what happened afterwards. I'd prepared for a tough three-round war. I think I belong where I'm at. I just beat the No 2 ranked guy, knocked him out. GSP and BJ Penn couldn't do it. Good Lord willing, I'll get a title shot."